There was standing room only at The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown for a special event recently, as ‘Crossing the Line’ – a DVD highlighting the impact of The Troubles on County Fermanagh’s Rev. Rodney Beacom – was launched.

Rev. Beacom is minister of Lisbellaw, Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler Presbyterian Churches, and is also a Deputy Grand Chaplain of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, the County Grand Chaplain of County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge, and a member of Lisbellaw True Blues LOL 315.

Crossing the Line is a powerful film, presenting a strong message, with the role of the Orange Institution as a proud cultural and faith-based tradition very central.

It was while serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve that Rev. Beacom and his colleagues narrowly escaped death during a terrorist ambush – an event which he says his testimony of a life-affirming relationship with God began, and one that has powered his mission of faith.

Rev. Beacom said: “The widespread terrorist campaign of death and destruction that spread across Northern Ireland from 1969, for 30 years, impacted everybody who lived here and further afield during that time, young and old.

“At the end of those 30 years, more than 3,700 people had been murdered, more than 47,500 injured, and an untold number of people traumatised.

“I was one of the injured, and ‘Crossing the Line’ is my story of how The Troubles impacted me, my brush with death, and how in Christ Jesus I crossed the line and received new and everlasting life in Him.”

Ballinamallard Accordion Band played at the DVD launch on Tuesday, March 19, with many people eager to congratulate Rev. Beacom on the film, sharing their own thoughts and memories, and reflecting on the film’s message.

Copies of the ‘Crossing the Line’ DVD, priced at £10, and USBs at £15 plus P&P as required, can be obtained from Stuart Brooker (0796 873 8491; stuart@goli.org.uk), or Rev. Beacom (0774 347 9810; rodney.beacom23@btinternet.com).

All proceeds go to The Christian Institute, and LEMOS.